51st Asoju Oba Okoya-Thomas Cup Serves off Today

The battle for who wins the title for the fifth consecutive year begins for Bose Odusanya in the women’s singles event of the 51st Asoju Oba Molade Okoya-Thomas Table Tennis Cup which serves off today at the indoor hall of the Teslim Balogun Stadium in Surulere Lagos.

Also men’s singles defending champion, David Fayele who defied odds in 2018 to beat number one seed, Olajide Omotayo to drive home a brand new saloon car will be also be aiming to shield other players from cuddling the trophy this year.

Already, Odusanya and Fayele have expressed their intention to hold on to the title but the players are aware of the task ahead when they admitted during the press conference to herald the commencement of this year’s edition that they are ready to face the challenges.

“I know it will not be easy this year considering the quality of players in Lagos but I am not also ready to surrender the title this year and that is why I have been training in the last two months in order to be in top shape. There is no doubt that the tournament gets tougher every year but nothing can stop me from retaining the title again having been holding on to it since 2015,” a confident Odusanya said.

Like Odusanya, Fayele spoke with a lot of optimism that he cannot be dethroned. “I know I will retain the title because I am working hard in training and I don’t see anybody stopping me. My aim is to set record in the tournament by winning as many times as possible and being a champion is not always easy but I am ready to go through this uneasy ways to make sure I emerge as champion again this year,” Fayele boasted.

Players are expected to finalise their registration for the five-day tournament with matches expected to commence as well in the cadet, junior and senior categories.